Prince Harry is said to be “distraught” and “reeling” following one of the most turbulent periods since stepping back from royal duties, as he faces a dual challenge threatening both his personal legacy and future philanthropic work.
The Duke of Sussex has stepped down from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded nearly 20 years ago in honour of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. The charity, which supports children and young people affected by HIV/AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, was long considered the emotional cornerstone of his humanitarian efforts.
Now, amid an escalating leadership crisis at Sentebale, Harry is also preparing to return to the UK courts this week in a high-stakes legal battle over his personal security arrangements—hoping to reinstate protections he once held as a working royal. The case, being heard at the Court of Appeal, could prove decisive in shaping the Duke’s future relationship with his home country.
A Divided Path
As Prince Harry contends with legal and charitable turmoil, the Duchess of Sussex is charting her own course. On the same day Harry’s court case opens, Meghan is set to launch her new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, produced by Lemonada Media. The debut follows the recent release of her lifestyle brand’s limited As Ever product line, which sold out in under an hour.
While Meghan’s business ventures are gaining momentum, Prince Harry finds himself grappling with a potential blow to his philanthropic identity.
The Sentebale Controversy
The crisis at Sentebale erupted when Harry and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, resigned last month in solidarity with the board of trustees, citing a loss of confidence in the charity’s chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka. Despite growing calls to step aside, Dr Chandauka has refused to resign, publicly accusing Harry and the former trustees of “harassment and bullying at scale.”
In a series of interviews, she also alleged “disrespect, bullying and intimidation,” as well as “misogyny and misogynoir”—claims firmly denied by Prince Harry and the former board members.
The UK Charity Commission has since opened a regulatory compliance case into the matter, a move welcomed by both parties. Although Harry, as patron, does not carry legal responsibility for the charity’s operations, the inquiry will examine whether his personal connections may have influenced board decisions.
In a statement, Prince Harry expressed his dismay: “It has been heartbreaking to witness what has unfolded. No one suffers more than the very beneficiaries Sentebale exists to serve.”
He went on to say he felt “relief” that the matter is being formally investigated, adding: “We fully expect it will unveil the truth that collectively forced us to resign.”
A Deep Personal Blow
“This has hit Harry incredibly hard,” a longtime friend told us. “He’s distraught. He’s just absolutely reeling—it’s difficult for him to put into words.”
The Duke, who last visited Lesotho in October 2023 to mark two decades since his first trip, has remained closely connected to the cause, participating in countless fundraisers and events in its support. For him, Sentebale isn’t just another charity—it is where his life’s mission began.
“Sentebale is the beating heart of Harry’s humanitarian journey,” the friend continued. “It was his first major initiative—his baby. He’s poured so much into it over the years.”
Though rocked by the situation, Prince Harry remains resolute. “He’s in disbelief, but supremely confident that the truth will come out,” the friend added. “He welcomes the Charity Commission’s investigation, stands by the former trustees, and believes these baseless allegations will ultimately be disproven.”
“But above all,” the source concluded, “he’s just profoundly saddened and disappointed.”
